…OK, I suppose we have to mention them.
I did a preview for STV on Monday and was asked what my expectations were for last night but had to admit I had zero expectations. This season I hoped we would get into the Champions League group stage, or at least, the Europa League. We remarkably overshot. My real hope for the latter stages of the tournament was that we would exit without taking a hiding.
Technically, 0-3 at home is a bit of a hiding but it doesn’t feel that way for several reasons. The first half was the best football we have seen from a Celtic team in years; far better than either of the performances against Barcelona, and on a par with anything under the Strachan and O’Neill eras. Unlike Barcelona, this match plan was flawed, but it was an honourable flaw.
The “gamble” to play Efe is one which Neil may consider, in time-honoured Celtic tradition, will be inscribed on his gravestone. When you face Juventus you need to take gambles; if they all worked, clearly, they were not gambles. This one didn’t, we learn and move on. The player put on a brave performance and I’m very proud of his achievements this month.
With an away game at the daunting Juventus Stadium to come, many considered that our best chance of qualification would be to win the home game, and we clearly went about our business with the intention of doing just that. Had we faced Juve in the group stage it is possible we would have left fewer spaces at the back. Any watching Barcelona players must have marvelled at how big Celtic Park looked on TV last night compared to their visit two months ago.
We don’t know how good Juventus would have been if we camped in front of our own penalty box, as they did for long periods, but they were a more-than-effective counter-attacking team.
It is hard to pinpoint what we were missing. Georgios Samaras would have played if fit and would have given us the height-dimension up front we lacked without him. He would also have given Gary Hooper the support he badly missed. Charlie Mulgrew’s status as Best Corner Kick Taker in Europe is at risk if he doesn’t take corner kicks until Kris Commons has innumerable tries.
Juve were prepared for the Celtic threat from corners and behaved illegally throughout the game. One of the referees should have had the strength of character to deal with the problem but they were sadly unable.
There were many positives. Emilio is back to his very best. On one occasion in the second half two Juve players were goal-side with only Forster ahead. Emilio made-up the five yard deficit and stopped the attack. His pace, skill and decision-making were first class.
Kris Commons repeatedly took-on a crowd of Juventus players before releasing a team-mate or making space for a crack at goal. He looked like he enjoyed the occasion but didn’t get the clear-cut chance his play deserved.
Lustig and Matthews are both excellent right-sided defenders with pace and skill. Kelvin Wilson did well, as did Efe for long periods. Fraser had little to do all night but had no chance with any of the goals. Victor Wanyama bossed everyone in his vicinity, and this was some vicinity. Roy Keane played 13 games for Celtic and, after an unfortunate debut, I remember thinking “This is what all the fuss is about”. Victor elicits the same sentiment; more on the consequences of this another day.
On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.
The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
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O G Rafferty. Does anyone know if the copy sharing that Traynor indulged in was with Liquidated Rangers exclusively, or was this his standard operating procedure with all clubs.
A Catanese pal tells me that last night’s Italia Uno [ a Berlusconi channel and therefore best avoided ] Champions League highlights prog featured a wee studio chat about the wrestling in the box stuff. They padded the item out with a wee clip of Michael Owen’s Tweets from last night in which he opined that something has to be done .
Cynical pal asked me if I knew anything about Michael Owen twittering on the subject of diving.
Was Dougal briefed by Hugh Dallas before going on air?
Some people can’t hide their dislike for us and our referee’s don’t even back us up when the whole of Europe is.
Would have got a more balanced view from that bigot Jeff Winter!
LB
“Horfe walks into a bat.
Batman says “why the long fave?”
– fat fingered iPhone jokes CSC
watched the game at home last night with a few mates (2 Huns included)..at end of game put yooutube on the tele and watched a few Bily No Well songs…fair cheered me up
Can anyone confirm if this is the 4th official from last night?
looks as if he is delighted that Juventus won
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/604027_10151227482301455_1587026969_n.jpg
Bada bing- Dougal also very publically backed Collum for not taking any action on Ryan Stevenson in new year Edinburgh derby. “Correct decision”
2 days later Stevenson was cited by Lunney and handed a 2 match ban for serious foul play.
Dougal is a weasel, nothing more, nothing less.
CultsBhoy loves being 1st forever & ever
You will have to tell Rangers supporters that a man who fed them lies was aided and abetted by their current Communications Director.
Slow burn but fuse has been lit.
Two Maceroons
`Lenny will have learnt a valuable lesson for the future’
If I may critisise our manager who overall is doing a very good job I sometimes wonder if he does learn from all his mistakes. I sincerely hope so but when you look , for example, at the number of times we lose games because he has played 3 in midfield against the opposition’s 5 one wonders why he persists in doing so.
I don’t think anyone is being wise after the event with regard to last night. Efe should never have been considered and as for James Forest he would need to collapse before Lenny considers subbing him.
He has no friends left after this – basically looking after himself at the expense of his former employers who didn’t know about what he was up to.
It may play well with the fleg lovers but it’s really not a great idea when, as head of PR, the people you need to get your message out are eager to stick the boot in to you.
Bada Bing
I tried to post the following comment in response to that article on “NL not to be charged”. However as I am not on facebook, it would not accept the post.
“Why would there have been a charge. Many, many managers have criticised refs after UEFA matches and, provided they did so within acceptable limits, no charge is leveled or considered.
What made you think a charge was appropriate in this case? Why do you think the “failure to charge” was worthy of comment?
And finally, do you agree that it is unusual for a team to be let off with such regular grappling within the penalty area? Do you agree that it was unusual for Michel Platini to have commented pre-match on expecting an easy Juve victory? Do you think the officials may have known that he expected a certain result to be forthcoming and that he wields influence that those officials may rely on in future to get top level match appointments?
Amoroso dive in 2001. Eduardo dive in 2009. Giggs dive in 2006. You will struggle to find counter examples where CL refs give the smaller teams anything against the expected elite outfits.”
A big shout out to kikinthenakas for trying to get my friend a ticket for last night, there’s always next year and the next and the next etc etc
Traynor while working for the DR & SM and working with the BBC ,Is actively seeking employment with DEADco while Passing articles to our hero for approval.
Wonder how the zombies will react knowing Jabba was in bed with Whyte while they DIED,
Paul67,
Brilliant commentary!!!
Next season, if we dinnae make the last 8 we will be a lot more despondent than we are today.
My Son loves Emilio, last night he was a top Champions League player again, like many others in our Celtic team, none more than Chartlie Mulgrew.
I really doubted Charlie, prior to this CL season, if he could step up as I was concerned about his decision making when put under pressure. Juve will be looking at Charlie to enhance their squad.
Juve were fantastic at playing away from home, Pirlo’s incisiveness when given the remotest chances, was right out of the Top Drawer.
A wee tip, if you have Virgin, and think you are being clever by recording a programme in HD, don’t bother!!!!!
I had it set for 113, the STV HD channel and it rebooted twice in 10 minutes. I had cleared a lot of footie the night previously just in case the HD stuff was massive in its demand of data.
O.G.Rafferty
Sevco now have a PR man who has no respect from the media. Not a great fit is it?
I hope there is more to come.
LB
Stewart Weasel’s a Dougal
What Charlie Boy says about Jabba on his Down Under tour
Jim Traynor and Media
We have brought Jim Traynor on board. He is not a Rangers fan but he knows Scottish football inside out. I asked him to leave the BBC / Daily Record as we need to be able to control the media and Jim is a great asset. Serious action is needed with regard to the media. The Old Firm have always had a huge influence over the media but with Rangers not speaking out for the last 5-6 years had given Celtic too much power. Dominance was now held by just one club and that was not healthy. The reaction of other journalists to us winning the tax case was unbelievable with one editor with his head in his hands and the other claiming it was ‘a fucking conspiracy by the government’. Jim had lost faith in the media. Jim has something on everyone in Scottish football and now he is working for us you can guarantee there are quite a few people on Immodium now!
I think Charlie now sees him as his personal rottweiller.
MurdochauldandHay
think thats one of the Juve technical staff. I think the team has to put the numbers in the the electronic board before a substitution rather than the officials
A big shout out as well for all bingo callers.
HH
Lets hope Alex Thomson takes a look at some of the copy from the Glasgow Herald.
FIVE DAYS of Sevco a year on.. No creditors mentioned. No apologies. Only triumphalism from an ” impartial” NEWSPAPER ..
HH
LiviBhoy,16:55
Even better, they’ll be out to show him up
Well I’m still looking forward to my trip to Italy. Staying in Milan both nights and going to Turin on the day of the game.
Just been on trip advisor and the number 1 restaurant in Milan is a chocolate, sweet and cake shop….. can’t wait.
O.G.Rafferty
That had crossed my mind too.
Craig Whyte really is their worst nightmare.
LB
Forensic mind on FF responds to AT’s blog:
“I will finish with one observation. I cannot understand how on earth there has not been civil war in Scotland with the way in which these things have been so blatantly carried out, for the life of me I find it hard to believe that if these attacks continue that we won’t become embroiled in one. The lid on this pressure pot cannot continue to hold under this barrage.”
Right – next barrage!
Scottish football ‘journalist’ actively colluding with RFC (deceased) to promote their interests.
Despite the rare evidence,it’s a bit of a dog bites man story given all we’ve seen down the decades.
However, I hear Alex Thomson may have more to release, piece by piece. We’ll see.
Thommo, as a journalist you are a disgrace .
You were meant to keep this for the anniversary party tomorrow ,
Great digging
M, A & H
Looks like 3 Juve backroom boys to me. The fact that he is handling a sub board does not mean he was the 4th offiicial.
Jerome K
“the number of times we lose games because he has played 3 in midfield against the opposition’s 5 one wonders why he persists in doing so.”
Why would you assume that we had 3 against 5 last night. If you are counting Lichsteiner and Peluso as augmenting their middle 3 of Pirlo, Vidal and Marchisio, Why do you not add Forrest and Commons to our middle 3 of Brown, Wanyama and Mulgrew/ Alternatively, we had Izzy and Lustig supporting our midfield, leaving us with 2 at the back to their 3.
Our tactics won us games in Helsinki, Helsingborg and Moscow as well as coming close in Barca. We have seen Scott Brown and co. outnumbered in games and us losing because of it. Last night’s battle was not lost by our midfield being over-run and outmanned.
O.G Rafferty
OG is there more news to come out mate ?
Why would Alex release all his stuff today when it’s the anniversary of Admin day tomorrow. This guy knows how to release a story and get maximum coverage. I expect more than one blog from him tomorrow.
LB
MayoD, this rottweiller’s teeth are falling out…but he can still give you a nasty sook…
as_i_thought
16:56 on
13 February, 2013
MurdochauldandHay
think thats one of the Juve technical staff. I think the team has to put the numbers in the the electronic board before a substitution rather than the officials
Thanks as_i_ thought, just looking for clarification
Paul67etal.
These are my opinions, before I get lambasted as a Hun, not a true supporter, or whatever is the big moan of the day.
The verdict is in about a lot of players who should, or shouldn’t have played last night and if the manager had made the correct choices for his selections.
The Manager done a lot of talking during the week, and one of his opinions was to keep it tight at the back, what was his team selection, it looked like he played a 3-4-3,that is not a tight formation by any stretch of imagination.
Efe Ambrose has come in for a lot of criticism for last nights result, you would have to be a fly on the wall to understand why he was selected in the first place.
Someone who had played in a very big game for him on the Sunday, and sit on a plane for? 8-9 hours, to get back and be selected to play in another very big game, about the fly on the wall,
I haven’t got a clue what was said between the two player, and manager, did it go something like this, ‘Well Efe great result on Sunday, are you up to playing later on today, I hope I’m wrong but Lenny should never had asked that Question.
I think he should have said something like ‘Efe, great result on Sunday for you but I’m not starting with you, You may think your fit, but after a 8-9 hour flight, I feel that you wouldn’t give the 100% I want tonight. We’ll see how it’s going at Half time then we’ll have a rethink, As I say I wish I was that fly on the wall.
Another mistake was playing James F.A fine attacking Winger ,but one of his worst attributes is tracking back, and against a team like Juventus, he was one of the most unlikely players you would select, because he rarely tracks back.
Another mystery for me was, Why take of Scott Brown, as I wrote in the last Sentence JF was a prime candidate for substitution.
Why Joe Ledley wasn’t chosen to play is another mystery.
There were many Mysteries in the game last night, For instance why was The Italian defender allowed to literally assault G Hooper when Celtic were threatening the Juventus Box.
If Celtic don’t complain in the strongest terms to UEFA, then we will forever be the poor team of Europe, not financially, but ‘shame Celtic don’t get any of the breaks that are going these days’ type of way.
Paul67.Foster should have got to that Ball before the Italian Forward, for the first goal, He was a half a second late on his decision in coming out.
A bit pedantic I know, but as I wrote at the top of the Page, It’s only an opinion.
Proof that Traynor was colluding with The Man Who Killed Rangers.
That’ll do me for today.
And you just know in your heart that there’s more to come.
Interesting times.
Good day Celts,
Paul67 regrets not from me, it’s just a pleasure being a part of the Celtic family and more recently our managers on field improvements. I
I think we could go a bit further in Europe next season.
HH
How long do we have to wait for the LNS findings ?
oldtim67
17:06 on 13 February, 2013
‘ Why take of Scott Brown’
To save the ref the trouble of having to give him a second yellow.
sftb-I am only posting what has been reported.I posted similar thoughts earlier re Clubs like Celtic from a small country are cannon fodder for referees,no doubt thru UEFA directives.You can be sure if Pepe or Ramos commit similar fouls tonight,a penalty will be awarded.UEFA will want to nip any ongoing issues in the bud.HH.
Alex Thomsons blog has shown Traynor up as the sniveling sycophant that we all knew he was. The fact that JT was taking a wage from the public purse while playing the Himmler role is the real story here. If I was Scottish or living there I would be pissed about that.
If AT really wants to bury this so-called journalist then he should investigate if Traynor was put up to writing anti-Celtic stories by Agent Whyte and/or Murray.
Hail Hail